Page 110 of Phoenix Falling
Taking a deep breath, she admitted, “I wish I could believe that was true.”
“It is. Hell, have Imogen test me if you want; I’d gladly submit.” I walked forward slowly, step by cautious step, because I couldn’t stand being apart from her another second. I needed to touch her, needed to convey with more than mere words how sincere I was. “It’s true; just give me the chance to show you. No matter how long it takes, no matter what I have to do, I will prove it to you.” Standing before her now, I reached up and gently cupped the side of her throat, feeling her heartbeat beneath my palm. I tipped her chin up so I could see her dark eyes. “I’ll do anything for a chance with you, Rissa.”
Tears gathered as she stared at me, making my gut clench all over again. I couldn’t stand it anymore; I kissed her. Lightly, carefully, but I needed to comfort her somehow. “Please, at least think about it,” I whispered against her mouth. We had an eternity to get this right. Iwantedto get it right.
Her hand came up to cover mine, holding it against her neck for a long moment before her fingers curled around mine. “I’ll think about it.”
My knees nearly gave out.
When Rissa stepped back from me, I could tell she was pulling herself together. Her fingers brushed at the shoulders of my robe. “Looking pretty regal there, huh? Purple is a good color for a redhead.”
At least my mate liked it. “Thank God I don’t have to wear them very often.”
“It’s not every day you get to be crowned an actual king.”
Technically I was already king and this was just for show, but she was right. And there was something I wanted more than anything else for this ceremony.
“Will you come in with me?”
She startled. “You mean, into the ceremony?”
“Yes.”
“Sun, I don’t know if—”
“I want my people to know, no matter what, that I’ve chosen you above all others.” I ran my thumb over her bottom lip. Some might see this as pressure, a form of coercion, but that wasn’t it at all. It was reassurance. Rissa had seen my doubts in my mind, my concern that the clan might not accept her after learning about her gift. I no longer cared whether they did or not. She was my choice, now and always, no matter what she decided. “You asked for time to think when we came back. Well, that gave me time to think too. And I realized, I want you as my queen. I can’t keep it a secret any longer.”
She closed her eyes tight. When no response came, I dared to reach out.
“Rissa?”
Raising her head, she met my eyes, her own shining with some emotion I couldn’t read. “Yes, I’ll go in with you. As long as I don’t have to get up on a stage.”
I fingered her red hair. “Like this?” I wanted my Rissa with me, if she was willing.
Tingling awareness crossed my skin, sparking in my mind, and then I held dark coffee-colored hair in my hands. I smiled.
A knock came at the door. “Sun!”
Basile. “Time to go.”
A flicker of panic crossed Rissa’s face, but I took her hand and refused to let go. I wouldn’t give her a chance to change her mind.
“I’m not really dressed appropriately to stand beside the king for a coronation.”
Females, always worried about their clothes. “That’s all right.” I opened the door, and Basile shoved a box my way. I passed it to Rissa. “Here. Go change.”
When she returned a few minutes later, she wore a red dress that hugged her curves on its way from her shoulders to the floor. The front split up the middle to just above her knees, leaving her free to walk, and velvet black boots covered her feet. My female wasn’t into heels, but the boots were practical and sexy. And though she hid her scars with the glamour, the rest of her was all my Rissa.
“Perfect.”
“Sun!” Basile again.
“Let’s go before your second has an aneurysm.”
Rissa gripped my hand tight as we passed through the halls until we reached a corridor just outside the Arena. We waited there until it was time to go in.
“Where is Imogen?” she asked me. Ahead of us, the members of the Warrior’s Council lingered in a large clump, ready to precede us. Demetri stood to one side, attired in his formal uniform, as they all were, ready for the ceremony that would make him one with his mate.
